Student Global Ambassadors June 2006 Uganda Immersion a Success!
Kampala, Uganda
June 25, 2006

Global Youth Partnership for Africa recently completed its Student Global Ambassadors: June 2006 Uganda Immersion. The two-week Immersion program involved 16 American undergraduate and graduate students interested in working alongside Ugandan 'social entrepreneurs' in the areas of HIV/AIDS, income-generating activities, and peace/conflict issues. In Kampala, Ft. Portal (western Uganda), and Gulu (northern Uganda), the group met with a wide array of accomplished young leaders who possess the necessary ambition and skills to bring about constructive and sustainable change in their communities.
Associate Director Josh Goldstein commented, "The Immersion was a huge success! Both the Ugandan and the American participants left the Immersion energized and excited about future partnerships. Further, they left with a more in-depth understanding about the development challenges facing Uganda."
As the Immersion participants well know, GYPA measures the success of these programs not by the number of airline seats filled, but by the number of Ambassadors who remain engaged in various projects after they return home. GYPA supports this engagement in two ways: through initiating educational programs at American universities to challenge conventional and often distorted views of contemporary Africa, and through maintaining direct partnerships between American and Ugandan entrepreneurs.
Critically, the contributions Immersion participants make need not be monetary; the connections and enthusiasm shared between Americans and Ugandans are inherently valuable. In a country with a per capita GDP of less than $1,800 per person, Ugandans who create community projects are often operating alone and under very difficult circumstances. The relationships established during GYPA’s Immersion program provide not only lasting friendships, but business opportunities as well.
That being said, small amounts of money may leave a large impact when intelligently and practically utilized. Here is just one of the many amazing stories of Immersion participants taking the initiative to help their Ugandan counterparts:
For over three years, GYPA has been working with the Namuwongo Women's Group, an income-generating project staffed by women living in extreme poverty on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda. Here poverty results in the usual milieu of health problems, poor sanitation, and a lack of access to education. Despite significant obstacles, these women have come together to create handicrafts such as necklaces, bracelets, and baskets. Through GYPA’s Washington office, these female entrepreneurs are able to sell them throughout the world.
The leader of the group, Immaculate Alaso, spoke passionately to the Immersion group about her work. She showcased some of her pieces, and talked briefly about her business plan and the need for more sewing machines in order to increase their production capacity. The next day, several of the students decided that they wanted to raise money to buy a sewing machine for the Women's Group. So many Immersion participants were interested in helping that the group pooled over $300, enough to buy the Women’s Group five new sewing machines! This simple, strategic investment will allow the Women's Group to build capacity and fill more orders while still granting them the time to take care of their families.

Here are a few of the other projects that students took a special interested in staying involved in:

• Gomo Tong/Girls Kick It
• Namuwongo Women's Group
• Namuwongo Youth Group
• Koome Islands Ball Project- An innovative project that blends environmental issues, education issues, and income-generating activities
• Northern Uganda Peace Initiative
• YES Hostel – A project supporting the education of orphans in Ft. Portal
• Kyanyawara Environment Project (Ft. Portal)

Helping hands link lifelong friends
By: JEFF FRANK - Staff Writer

Practically since they left their cradles, Anna Phillips and Rebecca Littman have shared an interest in repairing the world.

They met as toddlers running around Temple Adat Shalom in Poway, where Littman's mother served as president and Phillips' mom was director of the preschool. Their friendship continued through Hebrew school, Bat Mitzvahs and confirmation, while they tackled numerous social action projects.

"I remember when we were little we did 'Save the Children' (collecting money to sponsor children in poverty-stricken areas)," said Littman, a 2004 graduate of Poway High School. "I think we've always kind of been like this."

What they are today are college juniors heading to Uganda to launch a program to empower girls and women whose lives in a country torn apart by a 20-year civil war provide little other than danger and deprivation.

"I was shocked when I first learned of it," said Phillips, a 2004 graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School and a North County Times Student of Merit. "Ninety percent of the people in the north have been displaced. The rebel army is 80 percent child soldiers. Women are used as sex slaves or for target practice."

After a trip to Uganda in January with Global Youth Partnership for Africa, Phillips developed a plan to improve the situation of young women with a program to boost self-confidence and create positive attitudes though participation in athletics.

Called "Girls Kick It," the program begins with a recreational soccer program, plus instruction in reading and about HIV/AIDS. If successful, Phillips, who attends George Washington University, hopes to replicate the program in other areas of Africa.

When Littman heard what her lifelong friend was up to, she wanted to get involved. She landed a grant from her college, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, to do psychological research to determine the effectiveness of the program.

So the two pals will be together again, on the other side of the world, in a situation that in no way resembles their suburban upbringing.

"I'm ready for whatever is there," said Littman. "I think the conditions in the camp are pretty bad. It will be an eye-opener to see what these people live with every day."

Phillips admits there is "a danger factor," but is happy that she and Littman will together be working to help others.

"It's amazing. We have been plotting to go to Africa since our sophomore year in high school," she said. "This is something we always thought and dreamed about. I told her about the program, and she said, 'All right, I'm coming.'

"It's great. I can't imagine going with anyone better."

-- Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.
www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/06/22/news/columnists/jeff_frank/23_31_076_21_06.txt

Check out what our friend and supporter, Kevin Carroll wrote about Team Gomo Tong and the Homeless World Cup.

www.katalystatlarge.com

Stay tuned to Kevin's blog for updates about the team and what he's up to during his global travels.

6/14/2006 6:06 PM
American Students Arrive at Entebbe

Last night, 16 excited American students from 15 universities arrived
at Entebbe International Airport for the Global Youth Partnership for
Africa's Student Global Ambassador (SGA) June Uganda Immersion. The
students will gather at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda to meet
with Ugandan 'social entrepreneurs' and explore possibilities of
innovative Ugandan-American partnerships. The Immersion, lasting 12
days, will focus on three central areas: HIV/AIDS, Incoming Generating
Activities (IGA's) including microfinance, and conflict
mitigation/post-conflict issues (centered around Northern Uganda). The
program offers the opportunity to develop a focus in development
through a multitude of overlapping issues. The Immersion will travel
within Uganda and meet with dynamic youth leaders who spearheaded
NGO's and CBO's, local and international practitioners, and others
within civil society who work on behalf of the Ugandan people.

June 7, 2006
Anna Phillips, GYPA Program Coordinator, Anyira Gwenyo (“Girls Kick-It”)
Girls Kick-It is using soccer to empower young women living in internally displaced persons camps in Northern Uganda

To listen visit:
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/programs/worldview/series/globalactivism.asp